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Those About to Die season 1 premiered on Peacock on July 18, 2024. The latest ancient Roman epic drama depicts the history of the Flavian dynasty, from its power struggles and brutality to dramatic twists and deaths.
Inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's book, the 10-episode series is set in an exciting time during the Roman Empire when the legendary Roman Colosseum (known then as the Flavian Amphitheater) was being built. Ancient Rome represented grandiose and opulence, but it was also a dangerous time.
When the dust settled on Those About to Die season 1, Emperor Titus (played by Tom Hughes) died after an assassination and betrayal within the royal family. Apart from the Emperor, many other characters don't make it to the finish line. This includes Viggo the gladiator, Scorpus the chariot champion, Berenice, and the two Corsi brothers.
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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for Those About to Die Season 1. Reader's discretion is advised.
Emperor Titus dies at the end of Those About to Die season 1
Those About to Die season 1 finale, titled Let the Games Begin, sets in stone the Flavian dynasty's future with the death of Titus Flavianus. Titus became Emperor of the Roman Empire after the death of his father, Vespasian (played by Anthony Hopkins).
Domitian (played by Jojo Macari) and Tenax (played by Misfits star Iwan Rheon) have been conspiring against Emperor Titus. When Tenax is about to make those plans real, the Emperor is called by his closest general, telling him that there will be an assassination attempt. The news leads him to leave the amphitheater and hide in a camp just a short distance from Rome, saving his life.
At this moment, Emperor Titus already knows that his brother Domitian was the man who had tried to sabotage him by creating a food shortage that had caused havoc among the people of Rome. Hence, he asks his brother to be brought to the camp so he can be punished and most likely killed.
The Emperor didn't know then that Tenax had already bought his soldiers' loyalty. He found the money he had to give to Ursus stashed away by the man, which he then used to buy the allegiance of the Emperor's soldiers.
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Back at the camp, Titus is now in the corner with Domitian and the soldiers against him. With no way out, the Emperor then urges his brother to take his life using a sword, but his cowardice wins, and he can't kill his brother, the Emperor. Fed up with Domitian not being able to execute their plan, Tenax takes matters into his own hands and, out of nowhere, smothers Titus with a wet cloth.
The act kills the Emperor but also makes sure that there is no visible injury or wound on his body, avoiding any conflict or investigation into his death. Meanwhile, Domitian announces his brother's death, leaving out the real reason why he died and making it look like he died a natural death.
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Who became the new Emperor of Rome after Titus died?
With nothing to indicate foul play in Titus's death, Domitian ascends to power and becomes the new Emperor of Rome at the end of Those About to Die season 1. Anyone familiar with Roman history knows that this was the likely case after Titus died, although Those About to Die season 1 details how the events leading to the reign of Domitian played out.
As for his main conspirator, Tenax, he's working closely alongside the new Emperor. Domitian rewards him for helping him take over the throne.
He ends the season poised to receive more prestige and power, just like he always wanted, and the title of Aedile Ludi. But like the schemer that he is, Tenax doesn't keep his eggs in one basket, so the finale sees him still keeping up with his gambling den, ensuring his cash flow doesn't dry up.
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Did Viggo also die at the end of Those About to Die?
Throughout Those About to Die season 1, much of the plotline revolves around the construction of the legendary Flavian Amphitheater. At the finale, the amphitheater officially opens for business, inaugurating with a bloodbath and brutality involving an alligator attack, a lion that wasn't on the event schedule, and gladiator battles.
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One of the highlights was the battle between Viggo the gladiator, and Kwame, son of Cala, who have grown very close. Pitting the friends against each other was arguably the cruelest thing Domitian did, simply because Kwame had defeated his best fighter during a previous fight.
While the friends didn't want to fight each other, the safety of their family members was at stake, with Domitian saying that their family would be killed if they didn't fight, leaving them no choice.
At the end of Those About to Die season 1, Kwame proves to be a better gladiator, defeating Viggo. The latter could have lived if the crowd and Domitian had listened to Kwame's pleading to let his friend live because, according to him, Viggo fought like a true warrior. However, Domitian, who is still nursing his bruised ego, quashes Kwame's request to spare his friend's life. So, in the end, Kwame has to kill Viggo to keep his family safe.
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All characters who died and didn't make it to the series finale
Those About to Die season 1 delivers not only the prestige of ancient Rome but also its brutality. The season ended with the deaths of some of the series' key characters and fan favorites, with some deaths more surprising than others.
For one, two of the Corsi brothers, who initially went from Spain to Rome to sell their horses and later fell for the excitement of life in the empire, don't make it to the TV show's finale, dying in charity races.
Berenice, who closely served Emperor Titus as his mistress, died shortly before the season finale. Her own people killed her because they believed that she betrayed them for being in a relationship with Titus. At the time, Berenice was close to finding evidence that could have helped prevent Domitian and Tenax's coup and plan to kill the Emperor.
One of the most surprising deaths in Those About to Die season 1 is Scorpus's. He was killed during a chariot race in a revenge plot by the brother of a previous rival driver who died the same way Scorpus died—pushed into a shipwreck or a chariot crash.
Watch all ten episodes of Those About to Die Season 1 now streaming on Peacock in the US and Prime Video in the UK.
